Northeastern’s campus is loaded with restaurants, but for greasy comfort food, neighborhood veterans and students in the know head to Chicken Lou’s for super-cheap subs, burgers, pizza, and fried goodies.
During the morning rush hour, a mob of students, staff, and others swings by Chicken Lou’s for their famous Sex on a Bagel ($3), which includes sausage, egg, and cheese, and Cholesterol on a Bagel ($3), in which bacon replaces the sausage. Other items on the “Breakfast on the Run” menu include fried-egg-and-cheese bulkie, ham-and-egg bulkie, and fried-egg bagel, which range from $1.50 to $3.
The lunch rush lasts well into the afternoon, and that has a lot to do with the popular “
TK
O” (Tom Keady Original, $4.90). This sub is loaded with chicken, Swiss cheese, bacon, and homemade honey-mustard sauce. Say “heavyweight” and they’ll slather on some extra sauce.
If you’re in the mood for a Reuben, Chicken Lou’s makes its own “Lou’Ben” ($4.30), packed with a should-be-illegal amount of tender corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, and smothered in creamy Thousand Island dressing on pumpernickel bread. You’ll need two hands — and maybe a fork and knife — to conquer this juicy sandwich.
The ever-popular Buffa’lou popcorn chicken with fries ($5.70) showcases tender chunks of chicken breasts smothered and fried in a spicy Buffalo batter. With it, we’d suggest opting for an order of spicy fries ($2.15), loaded with flavor.
The food comes in no-nonsense Styrofoam containers. But the chefs and cashiers greet customers with boisterous hellos, friendly smiles, and gargantuan portions.
Chicken Lou’s, 50 Forsyth Street, Boston | Open Mon - Fri, 6 am - 6 pm, Sat, 9 am - 6 pm | 617.859.7017.